These turmeric benefits will make your health richer

Contributed by – Healthians Team

The significance of yellow on Basant Panchmi cannot be missed. Yellow flowers, yellow clothes and yellow colored food – yellow is everywhere on this day. This color can instantly make you feel happier. Besides, yellow has always been an auspicious color in our tradition. Be it a religious ceremony or food, yellow is added in some way or the other. Cuisines from north to south are incomplete without a pinch of turmeric. Not just that, the medicinal properties of turmeric make it an intimate part of every household. So, today, on the occasion of Basant Panchmi let’s look at the richness of turmeric while adding brightness of yellow to our day.

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric comes from the ground roots of a flowering plant of the ginger family.  Turmeric is available for cooking use in the powder and solid form.
The extracts of turmeric are used in various medicines and are blended with other ingredients to get a medicinal output. Apart from cooking the rich spice is also used for holy purposes and is part of various religious ceremonies and a natural coloring agent for homemade cosmetics.

Unique Chemical Profile- What Turmeric Is Made Up Of?

Turmeric is made up of more than 100 extraordinary compounds that contribute to its magical powers. These components are responsible for the unique properties that make turmeric a much-loved spice among all. The most important compound present in Turmeric is Curcumin, a polyphenol which is actually an organic chemical known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is also responsible for the orange-yellow color of the turmeric root. Curcuminoids is the chemical compound group responsible for the amazing health benefits of turmeric; the group is made up of:

•  Curcumin
•  Desmethoxycurcumin
•  Bisdemethoxycurcumin

The unique chemical composition of turmeric includes:

• Fibers
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Phytochemicals

The composition or the ingredients that make up turmeric is the reason behind the great benefits that turmeric offers.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric has a lot to offer when it comes to health benefits. This is the reason why turmeric is such a sought-after spice and a must to each Indian home. Turmeric offers several health benefits like:

Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Turmeric is a versatile spice and it has been seen that one spoon full of it is rich in healthy calories, proteins, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, manganese, iron, potassium, and vitamin C. Turmeric is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory property and is helpful in various inflammatory conditions like Irritable Bowel Disease (IBS), Alzheimer’s, chronic stiffness, eczema, asthma, chronic fatigue. However, the curcumin content of the turmeric available in our spices is not very high, so it is best to use some turmeric supplements.

Pain Relieving Benefits 

Turmeric is also believed to have pain relieving properties. There are studies which show that it is helpful in people who have arthritis in their knee; it acts as ibuprofen for them.

Anti-oxidant Property

Oxidative damage is one of the mechanisms involved in the process of aging and many diseases. It includes free radicals which lead to tissue damage in the body. Curcumin present in turmeric has anti-oxidant properties. Due to its chemical structure, it acts as a potent antioxidant by neutralizing the free radicals. It also helps in boosting the activity of the body’s antioxidant enzyme.

Lowers the risk of Heart Diseases

These days heart disease is the leading cause of death. A regular intake of Curcumin helps in reversing the many steps involved in the heart disease process. Apart from that it also aids in reducing the inflammation and the oxidation, which do play a role in heart disease.

Lowering the risk of Brain Diseases

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF is a type of growth hormone that functions in the brain.  Curcumin helps in increasing the levels of BDNF. It may also be useful in delaying or reversing brain diseases.

Anti-microbial Properties

Turmeric has strong anti-microbial properties that help in fighting against bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including flu or herpes.

Digestive and Liver Tonic

Turmeric helps in increasing the bile flow from the gallbladder into the intestines, and it helps in supporting the liver function and the digestive problems. Apart from that it also helps in liver detoxification. With its known benefits, it also helps with gut inflammation and the gut permeability.

Turmeric is not just laden with flavors but is also full of several medical properties that helps in various ailments like:

• Inflammatory conditions
• Skin diseases
• Wounds
• Digestive ailments
• Liver conditions

The other health benefits of turmeric are:

• Helpful in a range of gastrointestinal disorders
• Destruction of chronically diseased cells within the brain and the body
• Treating depression
• Managing Type 2 Diabetes
• Pre-menstrual syndrome
• Controlling High cholesterol
• Treating Headaches
• Good for cold and sore throat
• Cures acne
• Reducing the risk of cancer

Incorporate turmeric in life using these simple formulas

• • Golden milk – Grandma’s favorite recipe. Just add half a spoon of turmeric in a warm cup of milk. Boosts your immunity, saves from bacterial & fungal infections, prevents cancer and the list goes on. And hence, Grandma’s favorite.
• • Turmeric tea – Add turmeric to boiling water and reduce to simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Strain the tea and add honey or lemon for taste. Including all the health benefits of turmeric, it will also help in losing weight.
• • Smoothie – Increase the health benefits of a smoothie by adding turmeric to it. It will only change its color but not the taste.
• • Top your salad – Sprinkling some turmeric powder on the salad is also largely beneficial. It just adds to nutrition value and never changes the taste.
• • Face pack – Adding some amount of turmeric in any and all homemade face packs will help you increase the benefits of the pack and will surely give you glowing skin.

Nutritional value of Turmeric

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, one tablespoon (tbsp) of turmeric powder contains:

Benefits of turmeric are scientifically proven. Looking at them it is not wrong to call it a reservoir of health and goodness. All of them will only help in making the life of a person easy and healthy. Hence, it becomes important to add turmeric in regular life. One can find an ample amount of ways to use turmeric on a regular basis.